Fuel-feeding device



Dec. 2, 1930. c. s. BURTON 1,783,374

FUEL FEEDINGDEVICE Filed oct'. 2o, 1928 Patented Dec.` 2,Y 1930i UNTED STATES" CHARLES s. BURTON, or OAK rank,- ILLiNoIs FuELrEEnING DEVICE applicati@V med 'october Y2o, 192s. serial No. 313,708.

The purpose of this inventionis to pro l Y vide'an improved apparatus for lifting liquid, particularly' adapted for lifting fuel` from a lower source to a receptacle suitably located for supplying` the carbureter of an internal combustion engine, and also particularly adapted to employing suction derived from the intake manifold of the engine served. Y

It consists in the elements andr features of construction herein shown and described as indicated in the claims.

fn the drawings: Y

*Figure l. is a vertical section of a vacuum tank 'embodying` this invention substantially axial with respect to the concentric chambers. s i A Y .i Figure 2 is a `fragmentary detail plan view ofthe top of the tank shown in Figure l, for showing in detail the construction of atmosphere inlet and valve. 'i

Figure 3 is a detail section -at the line 8MS on Figure 2 upon an enlarged scale.

Figure l is a fragmentary portion of Figure upon an enlarged scale.

It is Well understood by those. familiar with the operation of fuel supply devices of the character commonly called vacuum tanks that a problem is presented by the `f fact that the atmosphere inlet valve, being held to its seat by suction derived from the engine intake manifold while the suction valve is open7 being opened by .the buoyant effort of therfloat due toits becoming submerged by the rise of liquid in the Vacuum chamber drawn into it by the suction,` is `limited; as to the areaforpressure holding Vit seated7 to thatV on 'which the excess of atmosphere pressure'existing in the chamber under the maximum suction will not eX- ceed the buoyant Vvalue of the float then submerged at the high liquid levelgor as it is commonly expressed, that the floatmust be large enough to break the suction hold i i of the atmosphere valve by its buoyancy when the vacuum chamber is lled Ato highlevel.y

This limitation on the size of the atmosphere valve is a V limitation upon the capacity ber.

atmosphere inletpport and 'valve affects the length of timerequiredfOr relieving the,V vacuum ,after the atmosphere valve opens so` that the liquid can be discharged from the vacuum chamber into the reserve cham- And also theV sizeof the atmosphere port and valve affects the rate at which the liquid can be discharged after vthe vacuum isrelieved. And especially if theY suction valve is'omitted7 the sizeof the atmosphere port and valve must be so many times larger Y than thersuction port in order that when the atmosphere valve opens, theyacuum in the chamber shall be reducedto a Alower degree than that which will uphold a liquid fuel tothe engine, because the size of the Y columnas high asthe entire depth of the chamber from the discharge valve'tc high liquid level, sincethe discharge lwill only lower the level to that height. Y

The leadingpurpose of the present invention is to avoidV the diiculty above indicated which arises from the fact that the atmosphere valve is positioned for being stressed on its seat by the suction, this avoidance being accomplished by arranging the atmosphere valve so that the action of the suction upon it is to the contrary of stressing upon its seat7 said valverbeing positioned interiorly with respect to the vacuum chamber and stressedjupon its seat by spring means, the spring being in condition for reacting to thus stress the valve with pressure not exceeding the maximum suction which ,isoperative in the chamber with the suction valve open for lifting the fuel into the chamber, this maximum suction being that which results from the degree of vacuum induced in the chamber by connection with theV engine intake manifold and which `accordingly can never eX- ceed and for operating the tank must be measured by hydrostatic pressure ofthe fuel column fromthe fuelsource to the fuel inlet vin the chamber.` y

' AUnder these conditions the Aatmosphere valve is held seated by the spring while the suction connection is open for producing partial vacuum in the chamberand While the chamber is accordingly filling by fuel lifted from the lower source and connection being l il provided by which the lioat rising with the risc of the liquid level in the chamber may actuate the atmosphere inlet valve in direction for opening.

|This actuation is effected easily and with certainty by the buoyant value of the partly submerged float because said valve is substantially. balanced on its seat, the spring pressure being opposed by the suc-tion and the spring being tensioned to the suction resulting from the partial vacuum i the chamber which is unvarying except as the vehicle on which the engine served is mounted may be traveling on an incline either upwardly or downwardly se that the distance which the fuel must be lifted varies to the extent of the difference between the level of the fuel tank in climbing and descending the grade.

In the preferred construction the atmosphere valve is 4mounted for slidino on its seat to open and close so that the resistance to its opening is merely the friction on its seat which is substantially zero under the condition as to inclination of the vehicle to the grade for which the spring is adjusted and the condition which arises in ascending the grade making the suction lift more than that for which the spring is adjusted so that the stress exerted by the spring on the valve is less than the suction; the only case in which there will remain any friction between the valve and its seat due to pressure of the valve on the scat being the conditionL of descending the grade in which the suction is slightly less Ahan that for which the spring is adjust-ed. although the sliding valve construction is preferred, the principle of the invention is applicable to a construction in which the valve is opened and closed by movement from and toward its seat instead of sliding on it.

Referring to the drawings The main or outer body member forming the lower or reserve fuel chamber is shown at it, and the member which forms the acuum chamber is shown at B. rllhe two members are secured together by an annular coupling member, C, Zig-zag in form, in radial section to facilitate its securement by its inner circumferential margin to the upper end of the vacuum chamber member, B, which has at said upper end an outwardly turned horizontal flange, 20, lapping and secured air-tigbt, as by soldering, onto the inner circumferential horizontal flange, 25, of the coupling member, C, whose outer circumferential flange, 2l, which is vertical, is lapped outside the upper end of the body member, A, and may be soldered thereto. rThe member, C, 'thus constitutes the upper end closure of the annular passage cavity, c, formed between the outer member, fr, and the vacuum chamber member, B.

The vacuum chamber member is closed at the top by a cap, D, which has a downwardly folded peripheral flange, 50, dimensioned for encompassing and fitting snugly about the intermediate vertical shoulder, 23, of the Zig-Zag coupling member, C. The cap, D, is arranged to be secured in place for closing the vacuum chamber and also extending over the annular area of the horizontal flange, 25, which, as mentioned, closes the upper' end of the annular space, c, by screws, 8l, set through the cap just inside the peripheral flange, 250, and screwed into the horizontal flange, 25, above which, as mentioned, the flange, 2G, of the vacuunrchamber member, i3, is lapped, said last mentioned flange having apertures registering with the threaded holes in the flange, 30; and a packing gasket, 2T, is interposed over said flange so that when the screws, 3l, are set, 'the vacuum chamber is sealed at the top except as to atmosphere, suction, and fuel inlet hereinafter described, said sealing being bothas against outer atmospheric pressure and. air communication between the vacuum chamber and the annular space, c, and thereby with the remainder of the fuel rserve chamber.

'll his construction, it may be observed, facilitates mounting all the movable parts concerned in the atmosphere, suction and fuel communications with the vacuum chamber on the cap plate within the area thereof which overlies the vacuum chamber, so that for any attention which these parts may require ci' may desirably receive in the service of the apparatus may be readily obtained by withdrawing the screws and ren'ioving the cap, withdrawing itfrom the vacuum chamber, carrying every part which might reipiire any sort of attention or replacement.

rEhe cap, D, ha,4 accordinggly a fuel inlgt pipe fitting, 40, mounted liquid i hl', preferably at a point near the circ ference where said fitting projects inwardly, terminating for discharge of the fuel close along; side the outer wall' of the vacuum chamber. At a point conveniently remote from the fuel inlet fitting, d0, there is mounted in the cap a suction connection fitting, 50, having a very restricted port, 5l., for access of suctioin-outflow of air or gas to the source of suction,- which may be the intake manifold of the eugine served according to familiar fuel feeding methods, an elbow, 5l, being attached to the exteriorly protruding end of the fitting, 50, for connection in any convenient manner with a pipe leading to the source of suction.

For the atmosphere inlet there is provided a valve seat plate, F, applied with interposed packing gaskets, 45, on the to p side of the web of the cap, D, said web having an oblong aperture, 55, less in both horizontal dimensions than the plate, F, which accordingly laps the margin of said aperture, 55, on all four sides, so that when 'tlie.valve seat plate is secured tightly with the gasket, d5, intervening there is no air leak at the joint between it lll() more than the width' of said equally vdimensioned slots, the atmosphere access to the vacand the web of the cap, l).v This plate being designed to form the valve seat as mentioned for the atmosphere valve, G, whichis a lat plate dimensioned for fitting slidingly in the aperture, 55,`whic`h the valve seatV plate, F, covers, said valve plate being enough less in its lon gitudinaldimension than vsaid aperture so that it'rnayhave a range of sliding movement in the ,aperture for opening and closing the atmosphere inlet ports, as will now be described. 4

,TheV valve seat plate, F, has a plurality of narrowpreferably parallel slots, 60, extend-gV ingcross-wise of the slot, 55, and ofthe plate,r

F; and the valve, G, is similarly formed with a like plurality of similar slots, 70, similarly spaced and arranged, so that the valve may be'positioned on the valve seat'plate with the apertures ofthe valve registered with those of the valve seat plate, and by longitudinal movement of the valve in the slot, 55, from the po'sition'at which the slots, 60 and 70, are registered with each other, a distance slightly uum chamber will be completelycut oli-.

For upholding the slide valve, G, against the seating plate, F, there is provided a flat j spring bar, 80, exed'at one endto form an open loop or'lSOo return bend'as seen at 8l, the reiexed end being made fast by riveting or soldering it to the under side ofthe web of the cap, D, and the free end being arranged to bear upwardly against the kunder-side of the valve, @,and to be stressed thereagainst to a predetermined pressure by an adjusting screw, 65, which is inserted upwardly through a hole inthe spring'bar, 80, near the return y bend, andscrewed through a boss, 83, made fast on the webof the cap, the head of the screw being stopped on the under side of the spring bar, 80, the exteriorly protrudingend having a slot, G6, for engagement by a screw driver to adjust thescrew forthe predeten mined degree of stress with whichA the valve is held to the seat. i

For operating the atmospheric valve, G, a bell crank lever, H, is fulcrumed at 71 in the bracket, 72, depending rigidly'from the web of the cap, D; and from lthe horizontal arm, L, .of the bell' crank lever there is pivotally suspended a float-guide-rod, J, having stops,

73 and 74;, spaced apart on the rod a substan-V tial distance more than the vertical dimension z" of the float, K, which is mounted slidingly on the rod between said stops. The float-guiderod ispositioned at its lower end by extending through an aperture at the center of the spider, 91, formed at the upper end of the dis-l charge fitting, 90, which carries at its lower end in the fuel reserve chamber the usual discharge check valve, 92.

The horizontal arm, k, ofthe lever, H, is threaded beyond the pivotal connection Vof V' the rod, J, to receivera weight, M, which is thereby made adjustable along the lever arm j for a purpose which will be explained. j 1

From the foregoing description it may be understood'that when the tank is connected for deriving vacuum from the Vsource or vacuum, as the intake manifold of the engine served, and is connectedpfor receiving fuel by the fuel inlet, 40', connected with the low level fuel supply tank, both chambers of the l device bei-ng empty and theatmosphere valve being closed by the float lodged upon the lower stop, 74, of th'e-lioat-guiderod, and operating:byitsfweight'added to the weight ofV the horizontal arm of the bell crank lever for holding the atmosphere valve, G, at closed position, as seen in Figure 1, fuel will be drawn by suction from the low level supply into the vacuum chamber, eventuallycausing the float to be lifted along-the float-guide-rod into contact with the upper stop, 73, with the'tendency, by buoyant action of the float,

to raise thehorizontal arm of the bell crank Y lever, causing the vertical arm to operate the v atmosphere valve, sliding it from position at which. the ports are closed to` position of registration of the ports, 70, of the valve with ,theV ports, VGO, of the valve seat, thereby ad` mitting atmosphere freely by reason of the relatively large aggregate area of the plurality of ports ofthe valve and seat.

By reasonofthe large ration of the atn`iofs-v phere inlet ports to the very small area of the restriction, 5l, inthe suction fitting, 50, by which the suction has access to the vacuum chamber,v the opening of the atmosphere valve, as described, results ina condition miY closely approximating atmospheric pressure A distinguishing characteristic of the con-V struction andl operation is that theatmosphere valve being held to its seat -by the spring, H, is soheld against the excess of atmospheric pressure over the sub-atmospheric pressure existing in the vacuum chamber when the atmosphere valvelis closed by reason of the continuously open suction connection. And the degree ofvacuum in the vacuum chamber resulting from the 'continuous access of suc-` tion is limited and measured by the fuel lift and 'can in no case exceed the degree of vacuum necessary to lift the fuel from the fuel source to the point'of discharge inthe vacuum chamber so long as such iiow of the fuel is free. In any given installation one motor vehicle this lift is fixed by the installation ofthe vacuum tank and fuel source respectively, subject to variation according to the grade upon which the vehicle is moving, the lift being greater when the vehicle is traveling up-grade and less When it is travel ing down-grade. ylhe tension of the spring, H, being adjusted for holding the valve to its seat against the suction operating' in the vacuum chamber when the vacuum is maximum, that is, when the vehicle is advancing on a maximum grade, the atniosphere valve will remain closed and cause the development of vacuum in the vacuum chamber to the degree necessary' for lifting the fuel from the main tanl to the vacuum chamber under all conditions. And the valve Will be held to its seat frictionally as against the sliding move ment necessary for opening only by the excess of the spring pressure, which is adjusted Ato the maximum suction, over the actual suction Whichwill be less than maximum when the vehicle is standing or moving on the level., or ascending less than the maximum gr de or on a descending grade.

Under these conditions the buoyant or gravity eifort of the float and connections necessary for giving the atmosphere valve either opening or closing movement relatively small, and the movement necessary for opening and closing being very short, the dela-y in the opening movement, for example, when the float is being lifted by the accumulation ot' liquid in the vacuum chamber after the float strikes the upper stop, is suilicient so that the increase in submergence of the ioat which Will occur before the buoyant value of the float becomes suficient lo break the valve from its seat against the friction hold will ensure the completion of the opening movement by inert-ia and the upward movement of the float for reaching the cenditionof balance in tbc liquid.

Similarly, in the emptying of the vacuum chamber which follows the opening of the atmosphere valve, the valve being held to its seat by the full force of the spring, suction being practically absent by reason of the atmosphere valve ports being vvide open, when the `Hoa-t descending encounters the lower stop it will be arrested by that stop vfhiie the liquid level continues to descend; and when the float is completely de-submerged, the liquid level having fallen below its lower end if the weicht of the float and the lever are made sulncient to break the friction hold of vthe valve on its seat, which is caused by the stress of the spring, the valve ill start to more in closing direction, and the i; cvement being very short vill be completed by inertia and the continued gravity action of the float and connections before the float descends into the liquid sufficiently to defeat the action, especially in view of the fact that the liquid level is also descending While the valve movement is occurring.

The purpose of the weight, M, mounted adj ustably on the horizontal arm of the lever, is to provide for accurate adjustment compensating for any unavoidable variation in the Weight of the float and connections to ensure that the weight is sufficient for closing the valve against the friction hold as described.

Upon consideration of the structure it may be understood that if from any cause, as obstruction to the inflow of fuel from the low fuel source While the atmosphere valve is at closed position, the vacuum developed in the vacuum chamber should exceed that by Which the spring, 80, is adjusted, the atmosphere valve being thus cased on its seat, admitting air without making its sliding opening movement will cause the vacuum to be vented, thereby governing the inanimum vacuum effective inthe chamber.

'lhe valve seat plate, F, and valve, G, are dcsirably made of rust-proof material, as of bronze, to insure against the two parts becoming adherent or roughened by rust during inter s of idleness Which would prevent the i filing movement of the valve.

claim l. in a structure for the purpose indicated in combination with a. chamber arranged to be cannccted with a source of suction for producing partial vacuum in said chamber and having a liquid supply connection and an atmosphere inlet port, an inwardly opening valve which controls the atmosphere inlet port arranged also for sliding on its seat for opening and closing, and having associated with it a spring stressing it on its seat adapted to yield to permit the valve to be eased on its seat by the suction for venting the vacuum in the chamber upon the vacuum passing a predetermined degree, a tioat in the chamber and means positioned for being actuated by the float at a predetermined high level of the liquid in the chamber, and operating connections from said means for giving the valve sliding opening movement.

2. ln a structure for the purpose indicated in combination with a chamber arr; nged to be connected with a source of suction for producing partial vacuum in said chamber and having a liquid supply connection, and an atmosphere inlet port, an inwardly opening valve which controls the atmosphere inlet port arranged also for sliding on its seat for opening and closing, and havingl associated With it a spring stressing it on its seat, adapted to yield to permit the valve to be eased on its seat by the suction for venting the vacuum in the chamber upari the vacuum passing a predetermined degree, a float in the chamber and means positioned for being actuated by the lioat at a predetermined low level of liquid in the chamber, and operating connections from said means for giving the valve sliding closing movement.

3. In a construction for the purpose indicated in combination Vwith a chamber connected with a source of suction for producing atmosphere inlet port, a valve seated interior ly ot the chamber controlling said port,

mounted forsliding on its seat foropening 'i and closing; a spring conditioned foiieacting on the valve to stress it upon its seat against a predetermined degreeofopposite pressure, whereby upon the vacuumin the chamber,

by change of level of the liquid therein or sliding the valve for opening andclosing at predetermined high and. low levels respectively. 'f 4. In a construction for the purpose indicated, a chamber having connection with a source of suction andwith a source of liquid to be lifted by the suction, and having an atmospheric inlet, a valve controlling said inlet, and means in the chamber arranged to be operated by change of level of the liquid therein for opening and closing the atmosphere inlet controlling valve l at predetermined high and low levels respectively of the liquid, the valve being arranged for sliding on its-seat for opening and closing, the valve seat having a plurality of oblong apertures very narrow relatively to their length arranged in parallel lengthwise, forming the atmosphereV inlet port, the valve being similarly formed with apertures arranged for registering with' those of the seat at open.` position of `the valve, the opening and closing movement lof' the valve being transversely of the directionl of parallelism of said apertures.V

5. In a construction forthe purpose indicated, a chamber having connection with a sourceof suction and with a source of liquid to be lifted by the suction, and having an Y atmospheric inlet, a valvecontrolling said inlet, and means in the chamber arranged to be operated by change of level of the liquid therein Jfor opening and closing the atmosphere inlet controlling valve at predetermined high and low levels respectively of the liquid, the valve being arranged for sliding on its seat Jfor opening and closing, the valve y seat having a plurality ot apertures eachV very narrow relatively to its length, said ap-V ertures extending lengthwise transversely to the directionof said lsliding movement Vform- A ing the atmosphere inlet port, the valve being similarly formed with apertures arrangedto register with those ofthe seat at the open,V

position of the valve. Y

v6. In the construction defined` in Claim1, the atmosphere port being in the top of the Vacuum chamber at a substantially horizon? causing the excess of atmospheric. pressure at the inlet port to reach said degree the valve ceases to Ypress fi'ictionally ony its seat, and meansin the chamber operated open thevalve. tal part thereof, whereby the valve seating l at the under side of the seat tends'bygravity to Yleave the seat and admit atmosphere and ease the friction Aof its sliding movement. partial vacuum in the chamber, and having an I In' the construction defined in :claiin l,

fthe faltmosphere port being in the'top of the vacuum chamber a substantially horizontal laart thereof, vivherebythe valve seating at 4 ease the frictionV ot its sliding movement, the

operating connections-for actuating the valve :i crank` lever having a substantially upstandin; arm arranged to engage the valve, and a substantially horizontal arm for actuation by the float.

aperture closed by Vsaid sea-t, plate and an 8. In the construction defined in Vclaim l,r

f opening and closing consisting of a bell?.v

atmosphere valve, being a plate diniensionedf for fitting slidingly inV said aperture; wherebythe edges ofthe aperture serve as guide-v ways for the valve in its opening and closing movements. y

9. The `construction defined in claim 5, the atmosphere valve seat being provided by a plate applied on the outside of t ie vacuum chamber, the wall-.of the chamber having an .aperture which is closed by the plate, and

a valve being diin'ensioned for fitting sliding.`

ly in Vsaid aperture with itsY vent` apertures registering with those of the valve seat plate.` l0. 'Ilieconstruction defined in claim 5, the

atmosphere valve being provided by a plate r applied on the outer side of a 'substantially-i' horizontal part of thefwall of'said chamber, said wall having an aperture which is closed Vby said valve seat plate, and the valve being `a plate dimensione'd for sliding aperture.

11. Theconstruction defined in claim 5, the atmosphere valve being provided by a plate fit in said 'applied on the outer` side ofV a substantially horizontal part ofthe wall of said chamber,

so, f

said wall having an aperture which is closed by said valve seat plate, and the valve being avplate dimensioned for sliding fit in said aperture, the operating connections for actuating the valve 'for opening and closing consisting of the bell crank lever having a sub-.Y

stantially upstanding arm arranged to enf gage the valve and a substantially horizontal Varm `for actuation by the float. Y

12. The construction deiined in claim kl,u Y the operating connections for giving the valvel its. sliding movement comprising a substan tially horizontal-lever arm having a weight 1 adjustable longitudinally of said-'arm for varying the gravityforces in opposition to,A

which the buoyancy of the iioat operates tow v1.3. The construction defined in claim 2, the

its sliding movement comprising a substantially horizontal lever arm havin a Weight adjustable longitudinally thereof or varying the gravity forces operative for giving the valve its closing movement against the friction due tothe reaction of the spring pressing it on its seat.

CHARLES S. BURTON. 

